YAMBA SPOTTY MACKERELL

[craigbutcher]

Hi Raider,

Had a solid few sessions over christmas around the Angourie Reef - 40metre mark.

Managed some nice sized Spotty Mackerell, biggest was around the 1m mark. We didnt have wire leader, so we used 50lb braid which was enough to stop them bitting through.

They were on fire, we were bottom bashing for snapper on the drift and then put out pilchard floaters for the mackerell. Lost what felt like a crazy SPANISH too, couldnt stop the thing on 30lb braid & 50lb leader

Good times.

Butch

[andrew399]

nice fish mate, how far are these grounds from the bar? Or is it closer to beach launch at woodys?

[craigbutcher]

HI Dicko,

These grounds are about 5km SOUTH of the Bar.

Out front of the bar is basically monotonous sand, no reefs. You either need to head south to Angourie point or north to Woody head.

I do a beach launch on SPOOKIES BEACH so I am straight out there on the good ground.

Butch

[BOBCO67]

hey butch its always nice to get out there and come home with something.

also handy to be able to improvise when needed.

hopefully they were as good as always to chew on. cheers

[andrew399]

Thanks butch, I'm heading up there mid march so hopefully will get amongst them! Il be fishing solo so a beach launch might be a bit difficult, the yamba bar is generally pretty tame isn't it? Are there bait grounds close to the reefs ie slimies and yakkas?

[craigbutcher]

HI Dicko,

The bar can be seriously heavy at times, be careful and try enter / exit, best to aim for the high tide. Low tide with a solid swell can be hideous around the bar and boats have been rolled before.

There is a lot of SAND built up at the mouth of the clarence (due to all the rain / river spit I am guessing), and a 5 foot swell will peak and break on the low tide. High tide is much easier.

In terms of bait buddy;

Plenty of Herring inside the wall on the T section (which is west of TURNERS beach) inside the Clarence river. Just pull up on the T section, berley and drop SABIKI JIGS down or small hooks with a bit of fish in them, huge numbers of small Herring.

As for Yakkas and Slimies, there is plenty of them in front of the First headland at ILUKA BLUFF - Big Numbers. Not sure about the Angourie side... I reckon there would be though.

With the Angourie reef sections, follow it out to around the 30-40m Mark. This is where the Snapper hold and the Mackerell move about. It's basically around 2-3km off Angourie, Due EAST.

Good luck Dicko!

Butch

[andrew399]

thanks for that mate! I only have a 4.5m quinny so i will only bother crossing the bar on a really really good day. If i cant get outside im more than happy to put your herring spot to use and spend the day inside after flatties and jew!